stepchild
noun/ˈstɛp.tʃaɪld/
Etymology From Middle English stepchild, stepchyld, from Old English stēopċild (“stepchild”), equivalent to step- + child. Compare Dutch stiefkind (“stepchild”), German Stiefkind (“stepchild”), Swedish styvbarn (“stepchild”).
1
The child of one's spouse from a previous relationship.
- On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” and in a lighthearted moment, explained — as she did during the last presidential election cycle — that in her blended family, her stepchildren affectionately call her Momala.2024 May 1, Charles M. Blow, “Kamala Harris Isn’t Americans’ ‘Momala.’ She’s Our Vice President.”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 03 May 2024:
- Calculating the growth in stepfamilies isn’t simple, but a demographic analysis published last year estimated that about 16 percent of Americans over age 70 have at least one stepchild. […] Overall, stepchildren provide less care to older adults2024 August 3, Paula Span, “When Elder Care Is All in the Stepfamily”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 29 Aug 2024:
2
Obsolete A bereaved child; one who has lost father or mother.
- Antonyms
- stepparent
- Derived terms
- red-headed stepchild, stepchildhood
- Related terms
- half-sibling, half-brother, half-sister, step-grandchild, step-grandson, step-granddaughter, step-niece, step-nephew, step-cousin
- Hyponyms
- stepdaughter, stepson, stepteen